Tag structure



A. H. swETT 1,831,207

TAG STRUCTURE Filed July 2, 1930 mgm l lf, Q

v .UH

Patented Nov. 10, 1931 PATENT oFFiCE 'f ARTHUR H. sWETT, or CHICAGQILLINIS TAG STRUCTURE Application mea Jury a', 1930. serial No. 465,294.

My invention relates generally to tag structures, and has to do particularly with eyelet or tubular rivet means for non-detachably securing tags of thevfold-over tongue, etc., types to thearticles whichthey are to iden-V ti Y c. is welliknown, itis quite desirable, for the protection of a merchant, to apply to merchandise, such as varticles of clothing, etc., an identification tag which cannot be detached `without `distortion and without showing evidence of having been detached or tampered with. This safe-guarding arrangement tends to prevent'the customer from securing merl chandise on approval, using the same and then returning it to themerchant. This prac tice is quite desirable in connection with all lkinds of merchandise which is handled from time to time, preventing loss of identification, cost, size, etc., marking; and it also avoids the changing of any of these cost, iden-' tifcations, etc., markings from one article to another, except by authorized persons. It is a protection to the merchant from every standpoint, evenduring shipping of goods from one place to anothenfy t While this practice has been adoptednin several instances, the means for accomplishing thefdesired results have been of such char! acteras to entail considerable inconvenience,

-partloularly insecurely fastening the component parts of the tag. For example, 1n certain instances, separate rivets or eyelets have i been employed to secure folded sections of 5 the tags together, "requiring separate handling of the tags and rivets or eyelets. This not only requires special skill for proper attachment, but the separate eyelets and rivets are quite small and are'diliicult to handle ,c and properly position on the tag to avoid covering up identilioation marks and the like. This makes the work of securing the f tag sections quitey tedious vand tends, naturally, toward carelessness whereby the full I5 advantages sought are not obtained.l

VOne of the objects of my invention is to provide tag structure adapted to the, forebong uses which eliminates the 'shartcomings of prior structures, and'to that end -myina vention contemplates the use of novel eyelet or tubular rivet means permanentlyA secured to the tag in its manufacture, therebyeliminating separate handling of the eyelet or rivet by the merchant, his clerk, or other user. t

Another object is to provide novel rivet structure which: includes# a tubular barrel part having at one end a laterally-extending base part of substantial size, which base part is adapted toengage one side of the tag mate- @o rial; and the tubular barrel part is so formed that a part of the material formingthe same 'is struclroutwardly therefrom and adapted to be clinched down upon the side of the tag material opposite the rivet base to securely 551 clamp the tag material between suchstruckout part and the base. Such struck-out portion is so formed that an upstanding tubular part remains tovbe engaged with and clinched upon another part of the tag.

- i further Objectis to provide a strong and durable rivet structure attached to ythe tag in such a Way that it cannot be loosened and removed without so distorting the rivet land tag as toprevent further use ofthe same, the entire structure being oi' such character that any tampering and distortion of the same will be readilyrdetected. The rivet structure is of sul'licient rigidity and strengtln, and it is so shaped and' attached, so that the tag must be practically torn apart inV order to detach therivet andtag sections".V y vFurther objects are to lprovide tag. structure vincluding tubular rivet means forioining sections' of the tag struc-ture together, S5 which rivet means is permanently attached to a sectionoi" the tag with metal reentorcement on both sides of the tag material around the opening in such material through which the rivet projects `thereby, strengthening-the v` tag material atthat point and tending to prevent tearingout of thesame except under abnormal conditions; and to provide, more specilically, the tubular barrelportion with tangs cut therefrom and adapted to be pressed outwardly and downwardly to securely grip the tag material to permanently'attach the rivet to the tag, or to strikefrom the tubular wall an annular horizontal flange for securely ,holding lthe rivet to the tag,-they arrange- 200 ment in both cases being such that, when the remaining upstanding tubular part is engaged with another portion of the tag and crimped, the turned-down tangs or flange is concealed and rendered inaccessible avoiding tampering in an attempt to det-ach the tag structure.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this description progresses and by reference to the drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a plan view of one formuof tag structure which I have chosen to illustrate my invention, the tag being shown in its open and unfolded or unattached condition;

.Fig 2 is a view showing the tag of Fig. 1

with its sections folded and permanently secured together;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. et is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4?-4 of F ig. 2;

Fig. 5 is another View of thet-ag structure rshown in Fig. 1, but illustrating the tubula rivet mounted in a different location than shown in the tag struct-ure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a view of the-tag structure of Fig. 5, showing the tag sections folded and attached;

' Fig. 7 is a section taken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a section taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 6; Y

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the rivet structure shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 7. and taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 10-10 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional View, similar vto Fig. 9, but showing' another form of rivet structure embodying' my invention; and

13 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 12.

Referring particularly to the form sho-wn in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the tag takes the form of a blank having a rectangularly-` shaped body portion with a narrow rectangularly-shaped tongue y21 projecting from one end thereof. The tag body may be creased as at 22v providing foldable sections 20a and 20", and the tongue 21 may be likewise creased for folding as at 23, whereby the4 entire tag structure may be folded in the manner, and to the shape, illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4.

This tag structure is of a character which may be readily and permanently secured to numerous articles and is completely adapted for that purpose when it leaves the place of manufacture. More particularly, I employ a tubular rivet 24 permanently secured in an opening 28 formed in the tag body section 20". a tubular barrel part 25 having at one end a laterally extending flange 26 constituting a base part of substantial width. This upstanding, tubular part has tangs 27 struck from its vertical wall at, preferably, diametrically opposed points; and while I, preferably, employ two such tangs in this form, the number of the same may be varied, if desired, without departing from my invention. `With this structure, the rivet may be permanently secured to the tag sov that when the same is delivered to the user, the rivet structure will constitute a part of the tag, eliminating the necessity, and inconvenience, of handling separate rivets, ete. as hereinabove more particularly mentioned.

Any desired, and suitable, form of tool may beemployed for the cutting out of the tangs 27.y These tangs may, preferably, be cut out before the rivet is inserted in the tag opening 28 or the tubular rivet with uncut side walls may be first inserted in the tag opening and a proper tool then used which cuts and crimps and clamps the tangs in place as illustrated and described. H'In securing the rivet to the tag, its barrel. portion 25 is passed through the opening 28, whereupon the tangs are forced outwardly and downwardly upon the surface of the tag material as best illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. The tangs are pressed firmly down and permanently act and, during this action, the base portion 26 serves as a die-like supportfor effecting the proper clinching or crimping ofthe tangs 27. In

this manner, the tag material is tightly gripped between the tangs 27 and base 26 and the 4tag material around-the opening 28 is reinforced making it practically impossible to detach the rivet from the tag without; so distorting both the rivet and the tag as to render the same of no further use. This metal reinforcement-attachment strengthens the tag structure as a whole, making the same more nearly foolproof and tainperproof m its article-attached condition Yas is quite desirable. Y

After the rivet has been fixed' in place, the tag structure is ready for use by the merchant, or other user, who carries the same in stock in the condition illustrated, say in Fig. 1, until he is ready to attach it to the article to be identified. When the user attaches t-hetag, the tag tongue 21 is loopengaged with some suitable part of the article in such a way that its free end may be turned back to bring one of the openings 29, 29 and 29b into coincidence with the upstanding, tubular portion 25 of the rivet, which tubular portion is then passed through the aligned opening. The tag section 20a is next folded over to the position shown in Figs. 2 and el so that the tubular portion 25 of the rivet may be projected through the opening 30. Vhen This rivet (Figs. 9-11) is provided with i the parts are thus engaged, a suit-able clinchiii) ,an openingr `ing or crimping tool, of any Well known form,

may be applied to the rivet structure to clinch vto the position or 'condition indicated at. 25 in Figs. 2, 4 and l0. Thus, the tag sections 20'? and the tongue are all securely inter- "locked, and the Walls of the rivet which have been clinched are sufficiently rigid to prevent unclinching of the samefor removal .of these parts. The parts are so firmly secured together that they cannot be separated Without either tearing the tag or so distorting the saine orthe rivet that such tampering may readily be detected and the'merchant or user, consequently protected, as intended.

It will be noted that With this arrangement, therivet structure is ofV tubular form vlim/ing at least three lateral projecting portions when finally clinched) which are in substantially vertical alignment with each other and so related as to firmly hold the several fastened sections of the tag, to support all of the openings through Which the rivet passes to more positively `prevent unauthorized detachment. In the crimping of the outer portion of the tubular barrel part the base portion 26 and down-turned or 4clinched tangs 27 pro videadditional die-like supporting surfaces for the clinching action, insuring the proper uniform and rigidcriinp action which `is quite essential for best securement of the tag sections. Further, With this arrangement, the uniform' association of the crimped tubular barrel part 25 and the basepart 26 with the tag sections provides structure which Will withstand greater pull action as against these parts WithoutV tearing. than has heretofore been achieved with prior structures.

In F 5 to S, inclusive, I havey shown a tag shaped similarly to that of Fig. l but, in this case, the rivet 25a is liXedly mounted in 3l at the free end of the tag tongue 21u. In folding this tag structure, the two tag body sections 2()C and 20d may be folded upon each other, the tag tongue 2ll'then folded so that its tubular rivet portion will project downwardly through openings 32 and 33, for clinching of the rivet as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8` and, as previously described in connection with the form of l to 4, inclusive.

In both of the foregoing structures, the tag body sections may contain various identification marks, with respect to size, style, cost, etc., on both sides thereof. Some of this information, When the tag is folded may be readily observable While other such information may be concealed, and protected, by the folding and securing1 of the sections.

In Figs. 12 and 13. I have shown another form of rivet embodying my invention. This forni. like that of Figs. 9, 10 and l1, is provided with a tubular barrel part Sel and an annular base part 35 extendinglaterally from the lower edge thereof. To secure this rivet in placeit is inserted through the opening 3 in the tag material 37 and a tool of suitable form is then employed to crimp the tubular side Wall at an intermediate point, or to double it on itself in such a Way as to form a j laterally projectine' annular flange 38 which, when fully formed, engages the side of the tao' material opposite the rivet base 35. This provides on both sides of the tagmaterial around the openine` 36, an annular gripping flange or ring which greatly strengthens the structure as a Whole as hereinbefore more particularly mentioned in connection'with the form of 9, l0 and ll. In the mounting of this form of rivet, the base portion 35 also serves a die-support for the forming of the annular holding ring 38.

While I have referred to tivo adaptationsv of my invention, and have described two different forms of rivet structure embodying the saine, it will be understood that other changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the claims whichv follow. For example, insteadof folding'the sections of the tag body, the tongue part only,'or Aonly one'sece tion of the tag, may be folded over and attached. In that case, the rivet attachment, etc. would be the same as above described.

I claim: Y f l. Tag strurture comprising abody portion-including a plurality of integral sections defined by crease line and adapted to be folded about said crease line upon each other and retained in that condition, said sections having openings therein positioned to align in said folded positionof said sections, and means coacting with the Walls of said openings for retaining the tag in folded condition comprising a tubular rivet having a fiat base with an upstanding tubular portion secured in the opening of one of said sections by -a part of the material of the Wall of saidy tubular portion being forced laterally therefrom and clamped down upon the'tag material around the Walls of the opening in which said rivet is mounted, for permanently securing said rivet tothe tag.

2. Tag i structure comprising a foldable body portion having apertures therein adapted to align in the folded position of the body, vand means coacting with the Walls of said apertures for retaining the tag in folded Vcondition comprising a tubular rivet having a flat base, an upstanding tubular portion perianentlysecured in one of said openings, a rivet-securing` element in the'form of an integral part of the material of the Wall of said tubular portion, said element being clamped or crimped down upon the material around said rivet for permanently securing said rivet-to the tag, and said element being Vso related to said rivet base andthe tag inayterial around said rivet as to reenforce said latter' material, with said upstanding tubular portion being adapted to be passed through another of said openings when said body is folded, said tubular portion being deformable for securement of the tag body in its folded condition..

Tag struct-ure comprising a foldable body having openings adapted to align in the folded condition of said body, a tubular rivet initiallyand permanent-ly secured in one of said openings, which rivet comprises a comparatively Wide base part adapted to engage one side of the tag material around the opening in which said rivet is secured, and an upstanding tubular part projecting through said opening, tangs cut from the matei-iai of said tubular part and crimped down upon the material around said opening directly above said base leaving an upstanding tubular part adapted to be received in the other of said openings and to be deformed by clinching or otherwise to secure said body and sections together permanently,

Tag structure comprising a foldable body ha 7ing openings adapted to align in the folded conditionv of said body, a tubular rivetinitially and' permanently secured in one of said openings, which rivet comprises a comparatively Wide base part adapted to engage one side of the tag material around the opening in Which said rivet is permanently secured, and an upstandino` tubular part projecting through said opening, a laterally-extending iiango ca ried by said tubular part and formed by'la-terally expanding the Wall of said tubular part, said flange being so formed and forced downwardly upon the tag material around said opening as to permanently fasten the rivet to said body and to firmly reinforce the Wall of the opening in which said rivet is permanently secured directly above said base, said flange being so formed as to leave said upstanding tubular part in condition to be secured in the other of said openings and to be deformed by clinching or otherwise to secure said body in its folded condition.

5. Tag structure comprising a foldableV body, an integral flap extension adapted to be folded toward and upon a folded portion of said body, said body having openings adapted to align in the folded condition of the body and said extension having an opening adapted to align with said body openings when said extension is folded upon said body, and means coacting With the Walls of said openings for retaining the tag in folded condition comprising rivet structure adapted to be secured in one of said openings to constitute a permanent non-detachable part of the tag, said rivet structure having a laterally extended, substantially flat, annular base part, a tubular part upstanding therefrom adapted to be passed through said one opening with said base resting iirmly against the usanze? vtag material around said one opening, the rivet being secured in said one opening by a part of the metal of said tubular part struck laterally therefrom and crimped downwardly upon the tag material around said one opening and directly above said base, leaving an upstanding tubular rivet part adapted to be inserted in the others of said openings and to be deformed by crimping, or otherwise, at its outer end down upon the tag material around another of said openings so as to secure said body and extension together with superimposed, aligned metal reinforcement around all said openingsto increase thefstrength and durability of the tag structure as a Whole.

G. In a tag structure, a foldable body having openings adapted to align in the folded condition of the body, said body having an integral foldable extension provided with an opening adapted to align With said ali ned body openings in the folded condition of oth said body and said extension, and a rivet including means permanently securing said rivet in one of said openings and a part projecting beyond said means and adapted to pass through the others of said openings and be deformed inthe folded condition of said body and its extension for permanently securing the folded portions in folded condition.

7. In a tag structure, a foldable body having openings adapted to align in the folded condition of the body, and a rivet including means permanently securing said rivet in one of said openings and a part projecting beyond said means and adapted to pass through the other of said openings and be deformed in the folded condition kof said body for permanently securing the folded portions in folded condition.

In testimony whereof, myl name.

`I have subscribed ARTHUR H. SWETT.

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